Hinged clip

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a hinged clip that includes a finding joint, wire, and a rivet pin. The finding joint is a coined or struck finding joint which provides a more durable finding joint to inhibit degradation. The finding joint is used for pivoting a wire from an open position, on to a middle position, and to a closed position. The wire is positioned with the finding joint residing therebetween. The wire is spring-biased inwardly towards a central axis of the hinged clip. An inner surface of the wire engages an outer surface of the finding joint. A rivet pin is provided for facilitating the movement of the wire relative to the finding joint. The rivet pin extends transversely through the finding joint and the wire for movement of the wire along an axis. In operation, the wire moves from an open position to a closed position for securing the hinged clip to an object.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to and claims priority from earlier filed provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/976,820, filed Oct. 2, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to jewelry and, in particular, a hinged clip. More specifically, the present invention relates to a new hinged clip with an improved finding joint that is struck or coined. When used in conjunction with an inwardly spring-biased wire, the struck and coined finding joint has reduced degradation, increased longevity, and enhanced overall functionality.

An omega clip 1, or hinged clip, of the prior art is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. The omega clip is used for securing jewelry to an object, such as a person. When an omega clip is utilized, it generally has an elongated member, such as a wire 2 that pivots on a finding joint 3 and a rivet pin 4 routed therethrough. The wire 2 is spring biased outwardly from a central axis of the omega clip 1 to remain in an open or closed position as bound by a substantially v-shaped finding joint 3.

The finding joint 3 is designed to allow the wire 2 to move between an open position (FIG. 1), to a middle position (FIG. 2), and eventually a closed position (FIG. 3). The finding joint 3 along with the rivet pin 4 pivots the wire 2 into the various positions. The rivet pin 4 is extended through the wire loop 2 and the finding joint 1 to secure the finding joint 3 with the wire 2.

In the prior art, the finding joint 3 has defined formed indents for providing a seat in which the wire loop 2 can rest in an open or closed position. The finding joint 3 is cast in various metals such as silver, gold, or platinum. Typically, the metal of the finding joint 3, especially the defined indents, will degrade over time because the joint 3 is cast and does not provide a proper seat for the wire loop 2. Thus, when the indents sufficiently erode, the wire 2 moves freely or without substantial restriction thus preventing securing of the omega clip 1 to an object, such as an ornamental member 5. Eventually, the finding joint 3 will sufficiently degrade to the extent where the omega clip 1 must be repaired or replaced by a professional jeweler.

Therefore, there remains a need in the prior art for a hinged clip that provides a reliable and durable finding joint for pivoting the wire from an open to a closed position. More importantly, a hinged clip that provides a struck or coined finding joint which has a hardened surface to prevent degradation of the metal in the finding joint over time when used in conjunction with an inwardly spring-biased wire.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to jewelry and, in particular, a hinged clip. More specifically, the present invention relates to a new hinged clip with an improved finding joint that is struck or coined. When used in conjunction with an inwardly spring-biased wire, the struck or coined finding joint has reduced degradation, increased longevity, and enhanced overall functionality.

The present invention is a hinged clip containing a finding joint, a wire, and a rivet pin. The finding joint is struck or coined finding joint which provides a more durable finding joint to inhibit degradation. The finding joint is used for pivoting the wire about the rivet pin from an open position to a closed position. The wire is positioned with the finding joint residing therebetween.

The finding joint defines two grooves recessed in a portion of opposing exterior surfaces of the finding joint along a longitudinal axis of the finding joint. The two recessed grooves nest the wire in an open position. The finding joint defines two notches recessed in opposing exterior surfaces containing the two recessed grooves along a transverse axis of the finding joint. The two notches secure the wire in a closed position. In one embodiment, the wire is a wire loop having a head and two distal ends.

The wire is spring-biased inwardly towards a central axis of the hinged clip. An inner surface of the wire engages an outer surface of the finding joint. The wire is spring-biased inwardly to engage the finding joint when moving the wire from an open position to a closed position.

A rivet pin is provided for facilitating the movement of the wire relative to the finding joint and to provide a pivot for the wire. The rivet pin extends transversely through the finding joint and the wire for movement along an axis.

In operation, the wire moves from an open position relative to the finding joint to a closed position relative to the finding joint for securing the hinged clip to an object.

It is therefore an object of the embodiment to provide a hinged clip that is reliable and durable for pivoting a wire from an open position to a closed position.

It is a further object of the embodiment to provide a hinged clip that has a finding joint that is struck or coined, rather than cast, to reduce the degradation of the finding joint over a period of time and enhance overall functionality and life of the hinged clip.

Another object of the embodiment is to provide a hinged clip with a wire that is spring-biased inwardly to pivot about the finding joint with minimal degradation of the metal in the finding joint.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features which are characteristic of the improved hinge clip are set forth in the appended claims. However, the hinged clip, together with further embodiments and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a prior art omega clip in an open position;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a prior art omega clip in a middle position;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a prior art omega clip in a closed position;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the improved hinged clip in accordance with the present invention illustrated in an open position;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the improved hinged clip of FIG. 4 illustrated in a middle position;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the improved hinged clip of FIG. 4 illustrated in a closed position;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the improved hinged clip of FIG. 6 illustrated in a closed position;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 4-7, a new hinged clip 10 with an improved finding joint 30, which is struck or coined, is provided. When used in conjunction with an inwardly spring-biased wire 20, the struck or coined finding joint 30 has reduced degradation over a period of time and enhances overall functionality, durability, and life of the hinged clip 10.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the hinged clip 10 contains the struck or coined finding joint 30, the inwardly spring-biased wire 20, and a rivet pin 60. The wire 20 having distal ends 20B, 20C and head 20A is positioned with the finding joint 30 residing therebetween. The wire 20 defines apertures 21,22 for insertion of the rivet pin 60 along a transverse axis. The rivet pin 60 extends through the apertures 21, 22 and through the aperture 41 defined within the finding joint 30 to connect the finding joint 30 to the wire 20. The finding joint 30 facilitates pivoting of the wire 20 about the rivet pin 60 from an open position (FIG. 4), on to a middle position (FIG. 5), and eventually to a closed position (FIGS. 6 and 7). The struck or coined finding joint 30 made of materials known to be used in jewelry manufacturing, including metals, provides a more durable and harder finding joint 30 to inhibit degradation. In one embodiment, the finding joint 30 has a substantially rectangular shape but other shapes, sizes, and dimensions may be used for the finding joint 30.

The benefits of coining or striking the finding joint 30 are numerous. First, when coined, the outer surface of the finding joint 30 hardens the surface which inhibits degradation of the surface over time when engaging an inner surface of the wire 20. Also, the material in the finding joint 30 retains its strength, toughness, ductility and flexibility. All of the benefits of the coining or striking of the finding joint 30 allows the finding joint more durability over time. Prior art joints, such as in FIG. 1, cannot be easily coined or struck, due to their configuration, so they must be cast making them inherently weaker in strength. As a result of the coining or striking of the finding joint 30, the present invention is much more durable than prior art clips.

When the wire 20 is in an open position (FIG. 4), the wire 20 nests within recessed grooves 70A, 70B, clearly shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, defined along opposing longitudinal sides 30A, 30B of the finding joint 30. More specifically, distal ends 20B, 20C of the wire 20 are nested within the recessed grooves 70A, 70B. The recessed grooves 70A, 70B may extend from a top portion of the finding joint 30 and continue to a bottom portion of the finding joint 30. In this particular embodiment, the opposing longitudinal sides 30A, 30B have recessed grooves 70A, 70B extending from the top portion to substantially the bottom portion of the finding joint 30. In a preferred embodiment, the overall dimension of the recessed grooves 70A, 70B is sufficient to nest a radius of the wire 20 within the recessed grooves 70A, 70B. It should be noted that recessed grooves 70A, 70B may nest more than or less than the radius of the wire 20.

Now referring to FIG. 5, when the wire 20 is in a middle position, the distal ends 20B, 20C of the wire 20 are positioned along raised edges 50A, 50B defined within the finding joint 30. When the wire 20 is positioned along the raised edges 50A, 50B, the distal ends 20B, 20C of the wire 20 are moved outwardly. In one embodiment, the raised edges 50A, 50B are defined within a central portion of the finding joint 30 and have an arcuate surface which inhibits the degradation of the raised edges 50A, 50B over time. It should be noted that other shapes, design, or contours of the surface of the raised edges 50A, 50B may be used to facilitate the outward movement of the distal ends 20B, 20C. The purpose of the raised edges 50A, 50B is to prevent movement of the wire 20 from the open position (FIG. 4) to the closed position (FIGS. 6 and 7) until a user provides a force to dislodge the wire 20 and overcome the spring-biasing thereof.

When the wire 20 moves into a closed position as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the wire 20 nests within notches 40A, 40B defined along a transverse axis of the finding joint 30. The notches 40A, 40B are defined on opposing exterior surfaces which have recessed grooves 70A, 70B defined therein. More specifically, the distal ends 20B, 20C of the wire 20 are nested within the notches 40A, 40B when the wire 20 is in a closed position. The notches 40A, 40B extend along a transverse axis from a front portion of the finding joint 20 to a back portion of the finding joint 20. The notches 40A, 40B are defined within the finding joint 30 between the top portion of the finding joint 30 and the raised edges 50A, 50B. In a preferred embodiment, the overall dimension of the notches 40A, 40B is sufficient to nest a radius of the wire 20. It should be noted that notches 40A,40B may nest more than or less than the radius of the wire 20. The notches 40A,40B, along with the raised edges 50A, 50B of the recessed grooves 70A, 70B prevent movement of the wire 20 from the closed position until a user provides a force to dislodge the wire 20.

The wire 20 is spring-biased inwardly towards a central axis C of the hinged clip 10. An inner surface of the wire 20 engages an outer surface of the finding joint 30. Mores specifically, an inner surface of the distal ends 20B, 20C of the wire 20 engages an outer surface of the finding joint 30. Even when the distal ends 20B, 20C of the wire 20 are moved apart, the inwardly spring-bias of the wire 20 will return the distal ends 20B, 20C of the wire 20 to their original positions.

In one embodiment, the wire 20 is a wire loop having two distal ends 20B, 20C and a curved top portion or head 20A. Alternatively, it may be shaped like any other shape, size, or dimension while still retaining its spring-bias properties. At the point where the distal ends 20B, 20C meet the head 20A of the wire 20, the wire 20 may be bent or twisted to adjust the degree of engagement and force applied by the wire 20 to an object when in the closed position (FIGS. 6 and 7). Also, the distal ends 20B, 20C of the wire 20 define apertures 21,22 for insertion of the rivet pin 60 along a transverse axis to connect the finding joint 30 to the wire 20.

The rivet pin 60 facilitates the movement of the wire 20 relative to the finding joint 30 from the open position (FIG. 4) to a closed position (FIGS. 6 and 7). It should be noted that a means other than a rivet pin 60 may be employed having a different shape, size, or dimension to facilitate the movement of the wire 20 relative to the finding joint 30. The rivet pin 60 extends transversely through aperture 41 defined within the top portion of the finding joint 30 and the apertures 21,22 of the wire 20.

The length of the rivet pin 60 should be sufficient to extend completely through the finding joint 30 and wire 20 and also retain some additional length. The rivet pin 60 is of a length to be compact yet long enough to permit outward flexing of the wire 20 as it moves relative to the finding joint 30. It should be noted the size of the rivet pin 60, and its diameter, will change depending upon the dimensions of the finding joint 30 and the wire 20. Another feature of the rivet pin 60 is that it is flattened on either end to prevent the rivet pin 60 from exiting the aperture defined within the finding joint 30 and the wire 20.

In operation, the wire 20 pivots relative to the finding joint 30 from an open position (FIG. 4), on to a middle position (FIG. 5), and to a closed position (FIGS. 6 and 7) for securing the hinged clip 10 to an object. Due to spring-bias action of the wire 20 in an inwardly direction, the wire 20 engages the outer surface of the finding joint 30. When pivoting the wire 20 from an open position, the wire 20 is dislodged from the recessed grooves 70A, 70B defined within the finding joint 30. The recessed grooves 70A, 70B are oriented in the longitudinal direction and hold the finding joint 30 into an open position by requiring a force to move the wire 20 from the recessed grooves 70A, 70B. In addition, the radius of the wire 20 is used to facilitate the nesting of the wire 20 within the recessed grooves 70A, 70B. Once dislodged from the recessed grooves 70A, 70B, the distal ends 20B, 20C of the wire 20 are spread outwardly by raised edges 50A, 50B of the finding joint 20.

At the middle position (FIG. 5), the distal ends 20B, 20C of the wire 20 are forced to spread outwardly or away from the central axis C of the finding joint 30 by the raised edges 50A, 50B of the finding joint 20. The raised edges 50A, 50B provide substantial surface area for the distal ends 20B, 20C of the wire 20 to move along the arcuate path defined by the raised edges 50A, 50B with minimal degradation. Since joint 30 has shape that does not have voids therein resulting from a “u-shape” like the joint 3 of the prior art in FIG. 1, it can be coined or struck into a solid structure without voids therein which results in not only a physically stronger joint but one that is metallurgically stronger as well because it was struck or coined. In the middle position (FIG. 5), the tension of the inwardly spring-biased wire 20 increases because the wire 20 is forced outwardly by the raised edges 50A, 50B. Due to this tension, the wire 20 will eventually be forced to either rest in the open position (FIG. 4) or the closed position (FIGS. 6 and 7) when secured to an object in a keying type action.

At the closed position (FIGS. 6 and 7), the wire 20 nests within notches 40A, 40B defined within the top portion of the finding joint 30. The notches 40A, 40B are defined above the raised edges 50A, 50B of the finding joint 30. When the wire 20 moves to a closed position (FIGS. 6 and 7), the distal ends 20B, 20C of the wire 20 nests within the notches 40A, 40B resulting in the wire 20 being oriented in the transverse direction. The wire 20 can pivot in either direction (left or right) into the notches 40A, 40B of the finding joint 30. The notches 40A, 40B, along with the raised edges 50A, 50B of the recessed grooves 70A, 70B prevent movement of the wire 20 from the closed position until a user provides a force to dislodge the wire 20.

The hinged clip 10 can be made out of any material but is preferably made of metal known and used in the jewelry industry. The size, dimension, and shape of the hinged clip 10 that illustrated in FIGS. 4-7 is just one example of the configuration of the hinged clip 10. The hinged clip 10 could be larger or smaller or of a different configuration and still be within the scope of the present invention.

The wire 20 may have multiple sizes, shapes, and dimensions. In a first example, the head 20A of the wire may be 0.278 inches reference figure in width and the length of the wire 20 measured from the distal ends 20B, 20C to the head 20A may be 0.530 inches. In a second example, the head 20A of the wire may be 0.323 inches in width and the length of the wire 20 measured from the distal ends 20B, 20C to the head 20A may be 0.603 inches. In a third example, the head 20A of the wire may be 0.359 inches in width and the length of the wire 20 measured from the distal ends 20B, 20C to the head 20A may be 0.700 inches. In a fourth example, the head 20A of the wire may be 0.375 inches in width and the length of the wire 20 measured from the distal ends 20B, 20C to the head 20A may be 0.800 inches. It should be appreciated that the width of the head 20A of the wire 20 and length of the wire 20 may vary according to a user's preference and that the dimensions above are merely examples. In no way should the specific dimensions above limit the possible shapes, sizes, and dimensions of the wires 20 used in the hinged clip 10.

The finding joints 30 may have multiple sizes, shapes, and dimensions. In a first example, the length of the finding joint 30 is 0.323 inches, the width of finding joint is 0.095 inches, and the distance from top of finding joint 30 to a mid-point of the notches 40A, 40B is 0.026 inches. In another example, a first width of finding joint 30 is 0.086 which measured between the raised edges 50A, 50B, a second width of the finding joint 30 is 0.062 inches which is measured in the bottom portion of the finding joint, a third width of the finding joint 30 is 0.070 inches which is measured in a top portion of finding joint 30, and a fourth width of the finding joint 30 is 0.028 inches which is measured between recessed grooves 70A,70B. It should be appreciated that the width of the finding joint 30 and length of the finding joint may vary according to a user's preference and that the dimensions above are merely examples. In no way should the specific dimensions above limit the possible shapes, sizes, and dimensions of the finding joint 30 used in the hinged clip 10.

Typically, the finding joint 30 is used within a hinged clip 10 to provide a clasping mechanism. Many of these clasping mechanisms are used in jewelry items, such as earrings. As shown in FIG. 7, the hinged clip 10 of the present invention can be attached to an ornamental member 80 to attach to a person's ear to secure jewelry, such as an earring.

In view of the foregoing, a new hinged clip 10 with an improved finding joint 30 prevents degradation of the metal contained within the finding joint 30 for a more durable hinged clip 10. The finding joint 30 is struck or coined to provide a hardened surface and metallurgically stronger clip 10 for engaging and pivoting the wire 20. The wire 20, spring-biased inwardly, is used to pivot about the finding joint 30 with minimal degradation of the metal in the finding joint 30. The hinged clip 10 overall reflects a significant improvement over prior art hinged clips due to the unique wire and finding joint construction.

Therefore, while there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A hinged clip, comprising: a finding joint; a wire positioned about the finding joint residing therebetween; a pin for facilitating the movement of the wire relative to the finding joint, the pin extending transversely through the finding joint and the wire for movement of the wire along an axis; and whereby the wire moves from an open position relative to the finding joint to a closed position relative to the finding joint for securing the hinged clip to an object.
 2. The hinged clip of claim 1, wherein the finding joint is coined.
 3. The hinged clip of claim 1, wherein the wire is spring-biased inwardly towards a central axis of the hinged clip.
 4. The hinged clip of claim 4, wherein an outer surface of the finding joint engages an inner surface of the wire.
 5. The hinged clip of claim 1, wherein the finding joint has a substantially rectangular shape.
 6. The hinged clip of claim 1, wherein the finding joint defines two grooves recessed in a portion of opposing exterior surfaces of the finding joint along a longitudinal axis of the finding joint.
 7. The hinged clip of claim 6, wherein the wire is a wire loop having a head and two distal ends.
 8. The hinged clip of claim 1, wherein the finding joint defines two notches recessed in opposing exterior surfaces containing the two recessed grooves along a transverse axis of the finding joint.
 9. The hinged clip of claim 8, wherein the wire is a wire loop having a head and two distal ends.
 10. A hinged clip, comprising: a finding joint for pivoting a wire from an open position to a closed position; the wire having a head and two distal ends, the wire being spring-biased inwardly towards a central axis of the hinged clip, the wire positioned with the finding joint residing between the distal ends, an inner surface of the distal ends engaging an outer surface of the finding joint; a pin for facilitating the movement of the wire relative to the finding joint, the pin extending transversely through the finding joint and the wire for movement of the wire along an axis; and whereby the wire moves from an open position relative to the finding joint to a closed position relative to the finding joint for securing the hinged clip to an object.
 11. The hinged clip of claim 10, wherein the finding joint is coined.
 12. A hinged clip, comprising: a wire loop having a head and two distal ends, the distal ends having an inner and outer surface, the distal ends being spring-biased inwardly towards a central axis of the hinge clip; a finding joint for pivoting the wire loop from an open position to a closed position, the wire loop positioned with the finding joint and residing therebetween, an outer surface of the finding joint engaging an inner surface of the distal ends, the finding joint having a substantially rectangular shape; the finding joint defining two grooves recessed in opposing exterior surfaces of the finding joint along a portion of a longitudinal axis of the finding joint; the finding joint defining two notches recessed in opposing exterior surfaces containing the two recessed grooves along a transverse axis of the finding joint; a means for pivotally connecting the wire loop relative to the finding joint; and whereby the wire loop moves from an open position relative to the finding joint to a closed position relative to the finding joint for securing the hinged clip to an object.
 13. The hinged clip of claim 12, wherein the means for pivotally connecting the wire loop is a pin extending transversely through the finding joint and the wire for movement of the wire along an axis.
 14. The hinged clip of claim 12, wherein the finding joint is coined. 